Through March and till mid-April the art gallery in our church features art that focuses on themes of Jesus’ passion. The exhibition is titled “Towards Victory.” On this Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, I'm sharing my contribution to the "Towards Victory" exhibition. *********** Artist Statement: My saddest Easter was the year I miscarried our unborn… Continue reading “Towards Victory” — art on the theme of Jesus’ Passion
Rhoda’s Story My fluster undeniable they labelled me emotional but it was unbelievable— Simon was at the door! With death sentence official our prayers were sacrificial could answer be incredible he with us as before? Your hope is artificial makes hearing prejudicial As joke it is despicable. He knocked and called some more. It’s him,… Continue reading Rhoda’s story
I had a lovely experience of gratitude expressed to me last weekend. A bit of backstory. Years ago, it became customary for our church's small groups to discuss Sunday's sermon in their meetings. The church office provided sermon notes for that. In February of 2011, the pastor responsible for small groups asked me if I… Continue reading Gratitude (NPM ’16-Day 13)
Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction by Caleb Kaltenbach My rating: 5 of 5 stars Caleb Kaltenbach’s story of how he came to faith in Christ while being raised by two lesbian moms and a closet-gay dad is fascinating in its own right. The biblical teaching… Continue reading Messy Grace – review
At a Bible study class I attend, this week one of the class members bemoaned the existence of denominations. Her sentiment caught my attention, partly I'm sure because I was already thinking about the topic for this week's Spiritual Journey Thursday. But partly too because I don't agree. Yes, I know we can look at… Continue reading Denominations–members of One Body
Next to the beginning of the new calendar year, the beginning of September is the time we make the most changes in our lives. The kids start a new school year. All kinds of activities from kids' soccer to adult classes get underway. If we've moved, we'll be exploring a new neighborhood. If we've decided… Continue reading How to look for a church
Storm: Hearing Jesus for the Times We Live In by Jim Cymbala My rating: 4 of 5 stars Jim Cymbala, who experienced Hurricane Sandy in 2012, likens it to the storm he expects will soon hit the evangelical church of North America. In Storm he gives advice to pastors and lay people about how to… Continue reading Storm (review)
The Custodian The coffee cups we take into the sanctuary she sees as spots to scrub from the carpet later. On youth night she braces herself for toilets plugged with paper towel sinks clogged with toilet paper. The inconspicuous, numberless door in the hallway we’ve never really noticed— she has the key to it could… Continue reading The Custodian
Violet Nesdoly 